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Position Title: Microbiologist

Salary: Hourly: $24.16 || Annual: $50,265.70

How to Apply:

Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application.Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.

Minimum Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in microbiology, medical technology, biological, chemical, physical or clinical laboratory sciences from and accredited institution.

The following certifications are preferred Microbiologist (ASCP-M), Microbiology Specialist (SM) or Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP-MLS) certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology; or Microbiologist (NRCM-RM) or Specialist Microbiology (NRCM-SM) registered through the National Registry of Certified Microbiologist by American Society for Microbiology.

Education & School Transcripts

If you are claiming education to meet minimum requirements or as a part of your application, including supplemental questions, you must submit or attach a copy of your official college transcripts for your claim to be accepted. Unofficial Transcripts will not be accepted. 

Condition of Employment

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status.

Employment Type

  • Full-Time, Entry Level.
  • Position contingent upon grant funding.


Relevant Experience

You will receive a score based on the experience you report on your application for employment. It is therefore important that you provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower than deserved score or disqualification. Call our Office of Human Resource Management if you have any questions.

Who is Eligible

Applications will be accepted from certified Merit System employees of the Allegheny County Health Department and outside candidates who possess the experience and training listed in this announcement and who are capable of performing the duties of this position.

Weights

  • Minimum Requirements - 60%
  • Relevant Skills/Certifications - 40%


Allegheny County Civil Service Employees (Non-ACHD)

Regular or probationary employees of County Departments currently in this classification, hired under a State Civil Service System, who apply for this position will not be considered as Open Competitive applicants. Those employees selected for transfer to the Allegheny County Health Department will be considered to have resigned their Civil Service status from the Department in which they are currently working and will be required to complete a probationary period with the Health Department.

This announcement may be modified, amended or canceled by the Allegheny County Health Department at any time.

Purpose

To establish open competitive and promotional eligible lists for use in making merit system appointments in the Allegheny County Health Department. The list will contain the names of successful candidates ranked in the order of final earned ratings. The list will be in effect for one (1) year unless previously exhausted or superseded.

In the ranking, open competitive applicants qualifying for Veteran’s Preference receive an additional ten points on the final earned rating. Form DD-214 must be attached to the application form for consideration for Veteran’s Preference. Determination of Veteran’s Preference is made in accordance with State Civil Service Policy.

If you are claiming veteran's preference, then proof of eligibility; DD-214 Form or other comparable military document must be submitted for initial claim. The document must show dates of entry and separation and character of service.

Credit for a degree or college coursework can only be accepted from an official transcript submitted directly from the college or university to Allegheny C0unty Health Department.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

#INDSJ

Position Summary:

This is professional public health laboratory work in the study, isolation and identification of microorganisms utilizing bacteriological, virological, or serological techniques.

An employee in this class uses bacterial culture and routine diagnostic methods and procedures to isolate and identify bacterial organisms in clinical and other specimens. Senior microbiologists may act as a team leader in making daily work assignments to lower-level microbiologists and technicians coordinating their work and performing a variety of minor administrative functions to insure the effective functioning of the group. Work is performed in accordance with established and standardized methods and procedures. Supervision is received from a higher-level supervisor or administrator through frequent review of test results, re-tests, and observation of work in process.

Overview:

Fringe Benefits

  • Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.


Perks Working for ACHD

  • Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
Duties:

  • Cultures, examines and assists in identifying microorganisms in dairy, water and samples submitted by food establishment inspection personnel and specimens derived from the human body and other sources.
  • Prepares smears and stains slides of specimens and performs microscopic examinations to determine presence of pathogenic bacterial and other microorganisms.
  • Determines the presence of pathogenic organisms in specimens connected with food poisoning cases and from specimens derived from the human body.
  • Sets up and reads results of approved methodologies in determining the presence of bacteria, virus, or microorganisms.
  • Prepares culture media, solutions, reagents and indicators used in the identification of bacterial and other microorganisms, tests media for sterility and fitness for suitability in detection in viable organisms.
  • Prepares, cleans, and sterilizes reusable glassware.
  • Maintains records and makes reports of the work in progress or accomplished.
  • Employs tissue culture techniques, inoculating established cell lines, with specimens derived from the human or animal body to determine the presence of virus, also inoculates eggs and laboratory test animals to detect their presence. 
  • Participates on the laboratory procedures and process improvement teams.
  • Performs necropsy on animal cadavers for zoonotic diseases. 
  • Performs fluorescent antibody tests including tests of animals for detection of rabies.
  • Conducts studies of new and revised tests and procedures and makes recommendations as to effectiveness. 
  • Recommends to the laboratory supervisor the addition of or change in equipment, staff, and new or revised tests or procedures. 
  • Responds to Public Health emergencies as assigned by the Health Department. 
  • Performs other duties as required or requested.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • The use, operation, and care of microbiological laboratory equipment.
  • The basic principles of the life sciences.
  • Current developments in the field of microbiology.
  • The principles, methods, and practices of microbiology
  • Cultural examination and diagnostic methods of immunoserology, virology and microbiology.
Skill in:

  • Laboratory Equipment 
  • Data Entry
  • Documentation
  • Report Writing
  • Office Management 
  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry 
  • Emergency Preparedness 
  • Public Health 
  • Microsoft Office
Ability to:

  • Perform microbiological examination and serological and virological tests.
  • Perform extended microscopic work requiring normal color perception.
  • Work with specimens derived from a human body or animal.
  • Perform microbiological, serological, and virological tests. 
  • Work with specimens derived from the human and animal bodies. 
  • Respond to public health emergencies. 
Residency: Allegheny County within 1 year.
Veterans' Preference: Will be awarded to eligible candidates.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D


Apply Online